Trim man honoured with bravery award for beach rescue

A young Trim man who saved the life of a young swimmer off Bettystown beach 12 years ago has been honoured with a top bravery award.

Derek Allen received a bronze medal for an outstanding act of bravery from Ceann Comhairle, Seán Barrett, TD, at a national ceremony in Farmleigh House on Friday.

Derek, a native of Griffin Park in Trim, who owns The Kitchen in the town, was swimming at Bettystown beach with his father on 15th August 2002 when a 12 year-old girl got into difficulty and drifted out to sea.

According to Derek, who is now 30 years-old, he swam 300 yards to reach the young girl who was panic-stricken and clinging to a rubber ring.

'When I reached her, I had to hit her because she was panicking and screaming,' he recalled. 'Her legs were hitting mine, and she had convinced herself that there were sharks.'

Once Derek calmed the girl down, he began swimming back to shore with her. 'She told me her life story on the way back in, which helped keep her calm,' he said.

Derek's father, Brendan, met the two at the shore and helped bring the girl, who was said to be cold and frightened but otherwise well, to safety.

According to Derek, the awards ceremony last week was a 'very special day'. He was accompanied by his mother Laura and brother Sean - his father was unable to be there due to work commitments.

The honours are awarded by Comhairle na Mire Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – which was established in 1947 to provide for suitable recognition by the State of deeds of bravery.

Congratulating all concerned, Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett said: 'Today we celebrate the actions of 20 very brave people from every corner of the country, who, through their selfless acts of courage have helped other people.'

He added: 'In going to the aid of others at great risk to their own safety, our award-winners have brought great pride to themselves and their families and great happiness to the people and the families of those they have helped.'

Noting that the Bravery Awards are the only such awards made by the Irish State to its citizens, the Ceann Comhairle commented on the strength of spirit shown by the recipients of these awards.

'It is that strength of spirit that makes our communities better places in which to live, that selfless sacrifice and endeavour that lifts us all and benefits us all,' he said.

'Our recipients have done themselves, their families, their communities and their country proud and we thank them all.'